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Activity Monitor (activity + monitor)
Selected AbstractsLifestyle, participation, and health-related quality of life in adolescents and young adults with myelomeningoceleDEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 11 2009LAURIEN M BUFFART PHD This study aimed to describe participation and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adolescents and young adults with myelomeningocele and to explore their relationships with lifestyle-related factors. Fifty-one individuals with a mean age of 21 years 1 month (SD 4y 6mo) years participated (26 males, 25 females; 82% hydrocephalus, 55% wheelchair-dependent). Participation was assessed using the Life Habits Questionnaire, and HRQoL was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-form Health Survey. Physical activity was measured using an accelerometry-based activity monitor, fitness (peak oxygen uptake) was measured during a maximal exercise test, and the sum of four skin-folds was assessed to indicate body fat. Relationships were studied using logistic regression analyses. Of the participants, 63% had difficulties in daily activities and 59% in social roles. Participants perceived lower physical HRQoL than a Dutch reference population. Participants with higher levels of physical activity and fitness had fewer difficulties in participating in daily activities (odds ratio [OR]=8.8, p=0.02 and OR=29.7, p=0.02 respectively) and a higher physical HRQoL (OR=4.8, p=0.02 and OR=30.2, p=0.006 respectively), but not mental HRQoL. Body fat was not related to participation or HRQoL. In conclusion, a large proportion of individuals with myelomeningocele had difficulties in participation and perceived low physical HRQoL. Higher levels of physical activity and fitness were related to fewer difficulties in participation and higher physical HRQoL. [source] Safety evaluation of sewage-sludge-derived fuels by comparison with other fuelsFIRE AND MATERIALS, Issue 4 2009Xin-Rui Li Abstract The utility of sewage sludge as a biomass fuel is taken as a new approach to recycle unwanted wastes as renewable energy and deal with global warming. However, safety caring of this new type of fuel is a premise before it is practically used in boilers. Thermal behaviors of four sludge-derived fuels which are under development were examined by several calorimeters (such as thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis, C80 and thermal activity monitor) at temperature ramp and isothermal conditions. Heat generation at relatively low temperatures was observed. The corresponding spontaneous ignition was detected in an adiabatic spontaneous ignition tester at 80,C in some sludge species. Moreover, a certain amount of gaseous evolution was accompanied when the sludge fuels were stored at room temperature and at 60,C. Oxidation is mainly responsible for the heat and gas release from the sludge fuels. The hazards of the sewage sludge fuels were also compared with a bituminous coal and a refuse-derived fuel, which have the main feature of spontaneous ignition. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The effect of advice to walk 2000 extra steps daily on food intakeJOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 4 2006A.-A. Koulouri Abstract Background, It is currently unclear how physical activity and diet interact within the ranges of activity seen in the general population. This study aimed to establish whether a small, acute, increase in physical activity would lead to compensatory change in energy intake and nutrient balance, and to provide power analysis data for future research in this field. Method, Twelve participants were studied over 7 days of habitual activity and 2 weeks after instruction to increase physical activity by 2000 steps per day. Physical activity was assessed using a diary, the ,activPAL' activity monitor and a pedometer. Dietary analyses from prospective food diaries were compared between the first and third weeks. Results, Participants increased step-counts (+2600 steps per day, P = 0.008) and estimated energy expenditure (+300,1000 kJ day,1, P = 0.002) but did not significantly change their energy intake, dietary composition or number of meals per day. From reverse power analysis 38 participants would be needed to exclude a change in energy intake of 400 kJ day,1 with 90% power at P < 0.05; 400 kJ day,1 would compensate for a 2000 steps per day increase in physical activity. Conclusion, These results did not demonstrate any compensatory increase in food consumption when physical activity was increased by walking an average of 2600 additional steps per day. Power analysis indicates that a larger study (n = 38) will be necessary to exclude such an effect with confidence. [source] Change in serum COMP concentration due to ambulatory load is not related to knee OA StatusJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 11 2009Annegret Mündermann Abstract The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that a change in serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) concentration is related to joint load during a 30-min walking exercise in patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis (OA) and in age-matched control subjects. Blood samples were drawn from 42 patients with medial compartment knee OA and from 41 healthy age-matched control subjects immediately before, immediately after, and 0.5, 1.5, 3.5, and 5.5 h after a 30-min walking exercise on a level outdoor walking track at self-selected normal speed. Serum COMP concentrations were determined using a commercial ELISA. Basic time,distance gait variables were recorded using an activity monitor. Joint loads were measured using gait analysis. Serum COMP concentrations increased immediately after the walking exercise (+6.3% and +5.6%; p,<,0.001) and decreased over 5.5 h after the exercise (,11.1% and ,14.6%; p,<,0.040 and p,=,0.001) in patients and control subjects, respectively. The magnitude of increase in COMP concentration did not differ between groups (p,=,0.902) and did not correlate with any variables describing ambulatory loads at the joints of the lower extremity. These results, taken together with a previous study of a younger healthy population, suggest the possibility that the influence of ambulatory loads on cartilage turnover is dependent on age. © 2009 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27:1408,1413, 2009 [source] Evidence That the Lore-1 Region Specifies Ethanol-Induced Activation in Addition to Sedative/Hypnotic Sensitivity to EthanolALCOHOLISM, Issue 11 2001Jeremy C. Owens Background: Low-dose ethanol-induced activation (LDA) and initial sensitivity to alcohol are both predictors of alcohol abuse in human populations. Our hypothesis is that one or more genes specifying hypnotic sensitivity also specify LDA. We tested this hypothesis by using congenic mice derived from the inbred long-sleep (ILS) and inbred short-sleep (ISS) strains, which carry an ILS region introgressed onto an ISS background. Methods: LDA was assessed by assigning mice randomly to receive one of five doses of ethanol ranging from 1.2 to 2.4 g/kg. On day 1, animals were injected with saline and placed in a brightly lit activity monitor for 30 min, after which they were returned to their home cages. On day 2, mice were injected with ethanol (20% w/v), their activity was monitored for a 30-min period, and LDA was determined by subtracting day 1 activity. The blood ethanol concentration of each animal was then assessed at 30 min by retro-orbital collection of 25 ,l of blood. Results: Ethanol had a significant effect on the activity of ISS mice, but ILS mice showed no activation at any dose, similar to the activities of the outbred lines. All three congenic strains were activated at several doses. Lore-2 and Lore-5 were not ILS-like (less active than ISS) at any dose. In contrast, ISS.ILS- Lore-1 congenics (carrying an ILS-derived Lore-1 allele on the ISS background) were significantly less activated than the ISS controls at 1.8 and 2.4 g/kg of ethanol. Conclusions: The Lore-2 and Lore-5 congenic regions do not affect LDA. In contrast, the Lore-1 congenic region carries one or more genes specifying both initial hypnotic sensitivity to ethanol and LDA. [source] Norwegian adolescents with asthma are physical active and fit,ALLERGY, Issue 3 2009S. Berntsen Background:, Evidence regarding habitual physical activity levels and aerobic fitness of asthmatic compared to nonasthmatic children and adolescents is contradictory, and it is unclear if low physical activity levels can contribute to asthma development. The present study therefore aimed to determine whether adolescents with asthma have reduced physical activity levels and aerobic fitness, or increased energy intake and body fat compared to controls. Methods:, From the environment and childhood asthma study in Oslo, 174 (13- to 14-year old) adolescents, 95 (66 boys) with and 79 (41 boys) without asthma performed maximal running on a treadmill with oxygen consumption measurement (aerobic fitness) and had the sum of four skinfolds and waist circumference recorded (body fat), followed by wearing an activity monitor and registering diet for four consecutive days. Asthma was defined by at least two of the following three criteria fulfilled: (1) dyspnoea, chest tightness and/or wheezing; (2) a doctor's diagnosis of asthma; (3) use of asthma medication. Participants with asthma used their regular medications. Results:, Neither aerobic fitness, total energy expenditure nor hours in moderate to very vigorous intensity physical activity during week and weekend differed between adolescents with and without asthma. Energy intake and body fat was similar in both groups. Conclusions:, Total energy expenditure, aerobic fitness and hours in moderate to very vigorous intensity physical activity were not reduced and energy intake and body fat measured with skinfolds not increased among Norwegian adolescents with asthma. [source] Quantitative assessment of daytime motor activity provides a responsive measure of functional decline in patients with Huntington's diseaseMOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 3 2001J.P.P. van Vugt MD Abstract Voluntary motor impairment is a functionally important aspect of Huntington's disease (HD). Therefore, quantitative assessment of disturbed voluntary movement might be important in follow-up. We investigated the relation between quantitatively assessed daytime motor activity and symptom severity in HD and evaluated whether assessment of daytime motor activity is a responsive measure in the follow-up of patients. Sixty-four consecutive HD patients and 67 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were studied. Daytime motor activity was recorded using a wrist-worn activity monitor that counts all movements during a period of five consecutive days. Patients were rated clinically for voluntary motor impairment, dyskinesias, posture & gait, depression, cognitive impairment and functional capacity. Follow-up was available from 40 patients (mean follow-up 2.0 years) and 29 controls (mean follow-up 5.9 years). Despite chorea, patients had less daytime motor activity than controls (P < 0.005). This hypokinesia correlated with impaired voluntary movements (r = 0.37; P < 0.01), disturbed posture & gait (r = 0.38; P < 0.005) and especially with reduced functional capacity (r = 0.51; P < 0.0005). During follow-up, hypokinesia remained unchanged in clinically stable patients, but became worse in those whose functional disability progressed (P < 0.005). Hypokinesia seems a core symptom of HD which is related to functional capacity. Actimetric assessment of hypokinesia is responsive to disease progression and can be used as an objective tool for follow-up. © 2001 Movement Disorder Society. [source] Frequency of the sit-to-stand task: a pilot study of free-living adultsPHYSIOTHERAPY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2008Andy Kerr Purpose.,To report contemporary data on the daily frequency of the sit-to-stand (STS) movement in a healthy, independently living, adult population.,Relevance.,As a key determinant of functional independence, which has a high mechanical load, the STS movement is a common feature of rehabilitation. Knowledge of STS frequency during daily activities could inform rehabilitation goals and content, but has rarely been examined. To date, only McLeod et al. (1975) have investigated this, reporting an average of 92 daily STS transitions in healthy young participants.,Methods.,Fifteen healthy, free-living, ambulant adults (three males; mean age 40 years) were recruited from the general population. An activity monitor (activPALTM, PALtechnologies, Glasgow, UK) reported free-living activity for each subject for seven consecutive days.,Analysis.,The average number of STS transitions per day was calculated from the whole period. Data were separated into working and non-working days, and compared using a paired t-test.,Results.,On average, participants performed 64 (±19) STS movements each day, with large individual differences [range 35,105]. Participants performed significantly (p = 0.047) more STS movements on a working day [68 (±24)] than on a non-working day [55 (±17)].,Discussion.,Fewer STS movements were recorded than previously reported (McLeod et al., 1975). This may reflect general changes in lifestyle; however, comparisons should consider the small samples involved and methodological differences.,Conclusion.,This study provides contemporary data for STS frequency and demonstrates a significant difference between working and non-working days. This information could guide rehabilitation and future research. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Collagen-induced arthritis as a model of hyperalgesia: Functional and cellular analysis of the analgesic actions of tumor necrosis factor blockadeARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 12 2007Julia J. Inglis Objective There is a disparity in the animal models used to study pain in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which tends to be acute in nature, and models used to assess the pathogenesis of RA. The latter models, like human RA, are lymphocyte-driven and polyarthritic. We assessed pain behavior and mechanisms in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), the model of preclinical arthritis used most commonly in the field of immunology. We then validated the model using anti,tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy, which has analgesic effects in models of inflammation as well as in human RA. Methods CIA was induced in DBA/1 mice by immunization with type II collagen at the base of the tail. Swelling and mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia were assessed before and for 28 days after the onset of arthritis. Spontaneous behavior was assessed using an automated activity monitor. Glial activity was assessed by glial fibrillary acidic protein expression, and nerve damage was evaluated by activating transcription factor 3 expression. The actions of anti-TNF therapy on nociception were then evaluated. Results Arthritis resulted in a decrease in the threshold for thermal and mechanical stimuli, beginning on the day of onset. Decreased spontaneous activity was also observed. A significant increase in the number of hyperplasic spinal cord astrocytes was observed beginning 10 days after the onset of arthritis. Anti-TNF therapy was profoundly analgesic, with an efficacy similar to that of cyclooxygenase 2 inhibition, and reduced astrocyte activity in CIA. Conclusion This study shows that the CIA model is suitable for testing not only antiinflammatory but also analgesic drugs for potential use in RA, and highlights the importance of using appropriate disease models to assess relevant pain pathways. [source] The validity of the Computer Science and Applications activity monitor for use in coronary artery disease patients during level walkingCLINICAL PHYSIOLOGY AND FUNCTIONAL IMAGING, Issue 4 2002Ulf Ekelund Summary The principal aim of the present study was to examine the validity of the Computer Science and Applications (CSA) activity monitor during level walking in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. As a secondary aim, we evaluated the usefulness of two previously published energy expenditure (EE) prediction equations. Thirty-four subjects (29 men and five women), all with diagnosed CAD, volunteered to participate. Oxygen uptake (VO2) was measured by indirect calorimetry during walking on a motorized treadmill at three different speeds (3·2, 4·8 and 6·4 km h,1). Physical activity was measured simultaneously using the CSA activity monitor, secured directly to the skin on the lower back (i.e. lumbar vertebrae 4,5) with an elastic belt. The mean (±SD) activity counts were 1208 ± 429, 3258 ± 753 and 5351 ± 876 counts min,1, at the three speeds, respectively (P<0·001). Activity counts were significantly correlated to speed (r=0·92; P<0·001), VO2 (ml kg,1 min,1; r=0·87; P<0·001) and EE (kcal min,1; r=0·85, P<0·001). A stepwise linear regression analysis showed that activity counts and body weight together explained 75% of the variation in EE. Predicted EE from previously published equations differed significantly when used in this group of CAD patients. In conclusion, the CSA activity monitor is a valid instrument for assessing the intensity of physical activity during treadmill walking in CAD patients. Energy expenditure can be predicted from body weight and activity counts. [source] | ||||||||||